ABSTARR CEO Professor Gregory Phillips reflects on Paaka Thartu Karnu, a grassroots community project in Wilcannia. Founding member Ms Kerwin and Kelvin Thornycroft created the initiative to teach Aboriginal people the art of mosaic so they can personalise the headstones of loved ones in an affordable and accessible way.
Professor Gregory Philips commends the work of the program and says “Any ways that communities can deal with grief and do that in a ceremonial or positive way just helps with healing and recovery”. The programs has the desire to help communities across the country, Professor Phillips shares “if the community could find a way where they work with government or philanthropic or corporate partners to make sure it stays a community based [and] run program, I think that would be its strength”.
You can read the full article here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-16/mosaic-headstones-help-people-work-through-grief/105048238
Image source: ABC Broken Hill